Published: Thursday, July 25, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 10:07 a.m.

Counting today, there are only 26 days until local public schools open. And Labor Day is only two weeks after that.

Where'd summer go? We barely knew ye!

All we have left is August, and August is often so blah. While it's typically one of the hottest stretches of summer, usually nothing happens during this eighth month on the calendar; there are no holidays — although it IS National Goat Cheese Month.

However, the remaining days of summer in Marion County are shaping up to be quite interesting. The local calendar includes a block party at the Marion Theatre to a foam party at the Ocala Entertainment Complex, from planes and Tin Lizzies to dueling pianos and Dennis Rodman.

Instead of gaps in our calendar, we prefer Summer's Last Gasp:

July 27: Family Fun Nights at Wild Waters. This is a splashdown at Marion County's oldest and largest water park, part of Silver Springs. For the events, Wild Waters opens 6 to 10 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 17, weather permitting. $10 per person.

July 27: Tim Dugger. The up-and-coming Nashville singer will perform at the Ocala Entertainment Complex amphitheatre, 1415 SW 17th St. in Ocala. Doors open at 8 p.m.; $5 or $25.

July 31: Thunder from Down Under. This male revue from Australia invades the Bombay Beach Club venue at OEC. The show starts at 8 p.m. $15 in advance, $20 day of show; $30 for a VIP ticket.

Actually, OEC figures into quite a few Last Gasp events. Owner Bobby Tillander said the complex was renovated with new sound systems and fresh paint.

"OEC was always slated to be a concert event venue with nightclubs," he said.

Aug. 2: Comedy Night with Mick Foley. Once upon a time, Foley was merely a wrestling superstar. Now mostly retired from the ring, the champion is a ringside color commentator and a stand-up comedian. He will bring his comedy to the Bombay Beach Club — previously known as Platforms — at OEC. $25 in advance, $30 day of show. 789-6009.

Aug. 2: Tin Lizzy Luau. This fundraiser for the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch will feature classic and vintage cars, food, live entertainment and raffles at Citizens' Circle at Ocala City Hall. Activities run 5 to 10 p.m. $10 to enter a vintage car or motorcycle. Free to the public.

Aug. 3: Dueling Pianos. One of the most hilarious piano duels of all time was between Daffy Duck and Donald Duck in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" Downtown eatery and nightclub Coyote Cantina, 18 SW Broadway St., will bring a dueling pianos act back to Ocala after a many-year absence. This one may not be quite so fowl, but it could be as funny. $10 in advance.

Aug. 3: Whitesnake concert. The final concert at Silver Springs brings '80s powerhouse rock band Whitesnake to the Twin Oaks stage. Ranked among VH1's Top 100 Bands of All Time, Whitesnake produced a handful of gold and platinum hits including "Here I Go Again," "Is This Love" and "The Deeper The Love." This is a nighttime concert. $34.99.

Aug. 3: Jessta James. Another Nashville newcomer, Montana native Jessta James will drop in for a night at the OEC amphitheatre. Doors open at 8 p.m. $5 or $25.

Aug. 3: Back-to-School Bash. With the morning of reckoning approaching, Silver Springs Shores hosts one last fling for the school-aged at the Community Center. Activities run 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost for school-age children is a nine-week report card; admission is free for everyone else. 426-5712.

Aug. 9: "Planes" party. Another in a series of movie premiere block parties at the Marion Theatre, 50 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala, welcomes the animated "Cars" spinoff, "Planes." The family party will start at 5 p.m. on Magnolia Avenue in front of the theater. The party will be free. The theater will show the film for regular movie admission.

Aug. 10: Family Day at the Appleton. Our local world-class museum opens its doors to make robots — well, artistic images of them, just like the ones currently on display at the museum at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and it's free.

Aug. 10: Flick N Float at Hampton Pool. This is the second in a family-friendly summer series combining floating in a pool while watching a movie. "Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer" will be shown at the Hampton Aquatic Center, 255 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Fun begins at 8 p.m. $2 per person.

Aug. 10: WCW at OEC. Live cage fighting in the OEC amphitheatre will be hosted by Tommy Tramma. Matches start at 7 p.m. $20 general admission. Anyone younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent.

Aug. 16: Summer Jams at Citizens' Circle. This popular teens'-night-out activity features local rock musicians doing what they do. In previous years, they jammed on the Downtown Square; this year, the bands take over City Hall's back porch at Citizens' Circle; July's session, though, was rained out. Scheduled to perform are III Bones, The Suitors and Gristle.

"I will be adding another performer or two possibly," said Stan Creel, special events coordinator for the city.

Aug. 16: H2-OEC Foam Party with Dennis Rodman.

"What's the chance of anyone in Ocala to meet with Rodman without going to Tampa or Orlando or somewhere else?" asked OEC owner Tillander.

Where, indeed? The outrageous NBA superstar with five championship rings and hair of many colors will host the smeary good time in the OEC amphitheatre. Gates open at 6 p.m. $15 or $35; advance tickets available at www.ticketweb.com. VIP bottle service available by calling 789-6009.

Aug. 29: Artists' reception. A closing reception for "In Another Life" now at the Webber Center on the College of Central Florida campus. Reception will feature performance art as well as a last look at sculptures and installations created from everyday throwaways. Receptions runs 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Free. 873-5809.

Sept. 2: God and Country Labor Day Celebration. Long a tradition of the Townley family, this free festival at the Townley manufacturing complex in Candler — 10551 SE 110th Street Road — may attract up to 50,000 Marion County residents. It celebrates the golden anniversary of Townley Engineering & Manufacturing. Running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., it will feature a classic car show, speakers, country music concerts, food and beverages; five bicycles will be given away to attending children every half-hour. Free.

<p>Counting today, there are only 26 days until local public schools open. And Labor Day is only two weeks after that.</p><p>Where'd summer go? We barely knew ye!</p><p>All we have left is August, and August is often so blah. While it's typically one of the hottest stretches of summer, usually nothing happens during this eighth month on the calendar; there are no holidays — although it IS National Goat Cheese Month.</p><p>However, the remaining days of summer in Marion County are shaping up to be quite interesting. The local calendar includes a block party at the Marion Theatre to a foam party at the Ocala Entertainment Complex, from planes and Tin Lizzies to dueling pianos and Dennis Rodman.</p><p>Instead of gaps in our calendar, we prefer Summer's Last Gasp:</p><p>July 27: Family Fun Nights at Wild Waters. This is a splashdown at Marion County's oldest and largest water park, part of Silver Springs. For the events, Wild Waters opens 6 to 10 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 17, weather permitting. $10 per person.</p><p>July 27: Tim Dugger. The up-and-coming Nashville singer will perform at the Ocala Entertainment Complex amphitheatre, 1415 SW 17th St. in Ocala. Doors open at 8 p.m.; $5 or $25.</p><p>July 31: Thunder from Down Under. This male revue from Australia invades the Bombay Beach Club venue at OEC. The show starts at 8 p.m. $15 in advance, $20 day of show; $30 for a VIP ticket. </p><p>Actually, OEC figures into quite a few Last Gasp events. Owner Bobby Tillander said the complex was renovated with new sound systems and fresh paint.</p><p>"OEC was always slated to be a concert event venue with nightclubs," he said.</p><p>Aug. 2: Comedy Night with Mick Foley. Once upon a time, Foley was merely a wrestling superstar. Now mostly retired from the ring, the champion is a ringside color commentator and a stand-up comedian. He will bring his comedy to the Bombay Beach Club — previously known as Platforms — at OEC. $25 in advance, $30 day of show. 789-6009.</p><p>Aug. 2: Tin Lizzy Luau. This fundraiser for the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch will feature classic and vintage cars, food, live entertainment and raffles at Citizens' Circle at Ocala City Hall. Activities run 5 to 10 p.m. $10 to enter a vintage car or motorcycle. Free to the public. </p><p>Aug. 3: Dueling Pianos. One of the most hilarious piano duels of all time was between Daffy Duck and Donald Duck in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" Downtown eatery and nightclub Coyote Cantina, 18 SW Broadway St., will bring a dueling pianos act back to Ocala after a many-year absence. This one may not be quite so fowl, but it could be as funny. $10 in advance. </p><p>Aug. 3: Whitesnake concert. The final concert at Silver Springs brings '80s powerhouse rock band Whitesnake to the Twin Oaks stage. Ranked among VH1's Top 100 Bands of All Time, Whitesnake produced a handful of gold and platinum hits including "Here I Go Again," "Is This Love" and "The Deeper The Love." This is a nighttime concert. $34.99.</p><p>Aug. 3: Jessta James. Another Nashville newcomer, Montana native Jessta James will drop in for a night at the OEC amphitheatre. Doors open at 8 p.m. $5 or $25.</p><p>Aug. 3: Back-to-School Bash. With the morning of reckoning approaching, Silver Springs Shores hosts one last fling for the school-aged at the Community Center. Activities run 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost for school-age children is a nine-week report card; admission is free for everyone else. 426-5712.</p><p>Aug. 9: "Planes" party. Another in a series of movie premiere block parties at the Marion Theatre, 50 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala, welcomes the animated "Cars" spinoff, "Planes." The family party will start at 5 p.m. on Magnolia Avenue in front of the theater. The party will be free. The theater will show the film for regular movie admission.</p><p>Aug. 10: Family Day at the Appleton. Our local world-class museum opens its doors to make robots — well, artistic images of them, just like the ones currently on display at the museum at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and it's free. </p><p>Aug. 10: Flick N Float at Hampton Pool. This is the second in a family-friendly summer series combining floating in a pool while watching a movie. "Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer" will be shown at the Hampton Aquatic Center, 255 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Fun begins at 8 p.m. $2 per person. </p><p>Aug. 10: WCW at OEC. Live cage fighting in the OEC amphitheatre will be hosted by Tommy Tramma. Matches start at 7 p.m. $20 general admission. Anyone younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent.</p><p>Aug. 10: Bobby Harper. Nashville recording artist will perform at OEC. Doors open at 8 p.m. $5 or $25.</p><p>Aug. 16: Summer Jams at Citizens' Circle. This popular teens'-night-out activity features local rock musicians doing what they do. In previous years, they jammed on the Downtown Square; this year, the bands take over City Hall's back porch at Citizens' Circle; July's session, though, was rained out. Scheduled to perform are III Bones, The Suitors and Gristle.</p><p>"I will be adding another performer or two possibly," said Stan Creel, special events coordinator for the city. </p><p>Aug. 16: H2-OEC Foam Party with Dennis Rodman.</p><p>"What's the chance of anyone in Ocala to meet with Rodman without going to Tampa or Orlando or somewhere else?" asked OEC owner Tillander.</p><p>Where, indeed? The outrageous NBA superstar with five championship rings and hair of many colors will host the smeary good time in the OEC amphitheatre. Gates open at 6 p.m. $15 or $35; advance tickets available at www.ticketweb.com. VIP bottle service available by calling 789-6009.</p><p>Aug. 17: Doug McCormick. Nashville recording artist will perform at 8 p.m. at OEC. $5 or $25.</p><p>Aug. 29: Artists' reception. A closing reception for "In Another Life" now at the Webber Center on the College of Central Florida campus. Reception will feature performance art as well as a last look at sculptures and installations created from everyday throwaways. Receptions runs 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Free. 873-5809.</p><p>Sept. 2: God and Country Labor Day Celebration. Long a tradition of the Townley family, this free festival at the Townley manufacturing complex in Candler — 10551 SE 110th Street Road — may attract up to 50,000 Marion County residents. It celebrates the golden anniversary of Townley Engineering & Manufacturing. Running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., it will feature a classic car show, speakers, country music concerts, food and beverages; five bicycles will be given away to attending children every half-hour. Free.</p><p><i>Contact Rick Allen at rick.allen@starbanner.com or 867-4154.</i></p>